Leaving out fresh water for hedgehogs could 'save a life' in hot spells, the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) has said.
Hedgehogs are vulnerable mammals during the summer months, especially when vital food and water are scarce. According to the charity, the high temperatures forecast for this week may result in "bugs and grubs" going further into the ground, becoming inaccessible for hungry hedgehogs.
Want to help? All you need to do is leave a shallow bowl of water in your garden for the prickly creatures to drink from. Make sure you replace it each day to keep it cool and fresh. You could also consider leaving out some hedgehog-friendly food, such as minced meat, tinned dog or cat food (but not fish-based), crushed cat biscuits and chopped boiled eggs. You can also buy specialist hedgehog food from most garden centres and wild bird food suppliers.
"Water and food is scarce for hedgehogs when it's hot and dry, making water available can literally save a life," Fay Vass, CEO at BHPS tells BBC News. "Pop a few pebbles in to make sure insects can escape and if you can, offer visiting hedgehogs some meaty cat or dog food [on a separate bowl] too."
Sadly, research in the State of Britain's Hedgehogs 2022 report found population numbers were down in rural areas by between 30% and 75% since 2000 — although the decline was beginning to stabilise in urban areas.
As well as leaving out water, the experts are urging households to create "hedgehog highways" by making gaps in garden fences. Fay adds: "The message is getting through to make sure habitat is joined up for wildlife. Hedgehogs will travel one to two miles in a night, so that's quite a lot of gardens."
11 stylish garden solar fence lights to illuminate your outdoor space
This four-pack of fence lights will create a gorgeous glow in your garden at a low price. As shown in the photo, the lights can be attached to a fence or wall to illuminate plants or garden features below. Their bright, white glow shows plant life in its true colours.
20 Warm White Solar & Mains Festoon Lights
These understatedly pretty string lights could provide a cosy backdrop for your garden parties and get-togethers. This set has 20 bulbs, providing enough illumination for intimate outdoor spaces.
This Dunelm wall light has a distinctly traditional aesthetic, with a flared shade that focuses its glow downwards. The light is dimmable, and features a highly sensitive motion sensor that can detect movement at distances of up to eight metres.
A matte black finish and clean, cylindrical design make this mounted solar light our top pick for contemporary homes. It's fitted with long-life, replaceable LED bulbs, and has an IP44 rating for weather resistance.
Habitat's net lights will add a sparkly backdrop to walls, fencing, or even draped across plant pots and bushes. Its dazzling array of 100 white bulbs turns on at dusk, or when you choose to press the on switch.
This solar-powered light shines at night, whenever its in-built motion sensor is triggered. It’s affordable and low-maintenance, compared to the average hard-wired security light.
If you need additional security or extra lighting in the garden, this four pack of multipurpose and waterproof solar fence lights could be a safe bet. The lights can switch on automatically at night, with three settings to choose from: strong, dim or motion-activated. Delivery times on this product seem to vary widely, so check the delivery window offered before you buy.
Dunelm 10 LED Warm White Colour Caged String Lights
These 10 warm white LEDs, encased in decorative colourful cages, will add a unique charm to your outdoor space. They're also weather-resistant and easy to clean.
200 Warm White LED Net Outdoor Solar Lights
Hang these net lights from a garden fence or wall to create a warm, all-over glow effect in your outdoor space.
Habitat Garden by Sainsburys 20 Bee LED Solar String Lights
Create some buzz in your garden with these 20 sweet solar bee lights. Festoon them along the fence, or over a pergola, for a fun addition to your garden.
Smart Garden Solar-powered 40 LED Outdoor String lights, Pack of 1
Ideal for evenings alfresco, these 40 solar-powered lights give off a soft warm glow. The cable stretches for 13.7m in total, which means they're perfect for stringing around fences trees, parasols or gazebos.
Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
